Death punch was defensive, court told

A man who fatally punched a promising rugby league footballer in the head was defending himself and his mate, a Brisbane court has been told.

Wally James Hung, 23, has pleaded not guilty in the Supreme Court in Brisbane to the manslaughter of Todd Parnell.

Mr Parnell, 22, a former Brisbane Broncos junior, died from head injuries sustained when he hit his head on concrete after being "king hit" by Hung, the court heard.

In his opening address, prosecutor Phil McCarthy told the jury the death was reasonably forseeable and was therefore not excusable under law.

However, defence barrister Craig Chowdhury said it was an accident as a result of Hung stepping in to help his mate, Peter Gale.

"The critical issues for you are whether the prosecution can exclude that Mr Hung was acting in self-defence of himself or Mr Gale, or both, and whether the death of Mr Todd Parnell was an accident," Mr Chowdhury said.

The court heard the incident occurred in the early hours of July 26, 2009, at a football club on Bribie Island, north of Brisbane.

Mr McCarthy said both men were at the club for a 21st birthday party, and both had been drinking.

He said the crown would call a number of witnesses who would give evidence Mr Parnell and Hung had been involved in some small altercations throughout the night.

"In short, they did not get along," Mr McCarthy said.

He said the court would hear Mr Gale might have nudged Mr Parnell, who responded by punching him to the face.

The court would be told Hung then quickly punched Mr Parnell once behind his ear.

Mr Parnell dropped to the ground and died two days later from bleeding on the brain.

The court heard Hung later told police he had struck out because he thought Mr Parnell was raising his arm to hit him.

He said he "just got really mad" that Mr Parnell was picking on "little Pete".